Class of 2015 Point Guard Tomas Texidor from Maloney High School

Tomas Texidor- Point Guard at Maloney High School

                                                             

                                                                                Tell everyone about yourself?

Follow Tomas on Twitter @TTexidor11

My names Tomas Texidor, I play basketball at Maloney High School in Meriden, CT and I'm a point guard.


What was your best game?
My best game was when I used to play for the Boys & Girls Club in Meriden, CT. But hopefully, I'll have great games throughout this season my other 3 years of high school.

Why are sports and education important to you?
Sports are important to me because I can be myself and it also opens a variety of opportunities for myself. Getting letters, meeting different hoopers all-around the world, showing coaches and scouts my skills, and just becoming a better person all-around. Education is important to me because I can't make it anywhere without it. Getting good grades is something I love doing. I'm keeping my teachers, parents, coaches, others, and myself proud.  School's always first, no matter what.

What can you do to make yourself better at your game?
I need to get faster, so that my crossovers and everything else will become way quicker than it is now. 

Who is your favorite player?
My favorite player is Russell Westbrook. He's fast, he can score when he needs to, and he could definitely drop dimes. He plays with heart, and confidence. He's definitely someone I look up to. 

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Just work hard, and never give up on your dreams. Stay committed, and don't stop working. Even if you make it, never stop.

Any shout outs:
S/O to SoSportz! Thanks for everything!


**Check out Tomas's SoSportz profile HERE!**

Class of 2013 Point Guard Kahlil Dukes from Capital Prep goes off for 51

Kahlil Dukes is one of the top scorers in the country.

Follow Kahlil on Twitter @Kahlildukes

Not too many people hit 50+ points in a game. How did you feel after that performance?

I felt good to put on a performance for my city. I've trained and trained and worked harder than I ever have for this season and this spring/summer. It was a great feeling seeing the results, competing until the final buzzard, leading and carrying my team, and getting the win in front of 1,200 plus fans that were there.                                                                                                                                                    

A lot of people look at you as just a scorer, but what other part of your game are people sleeping on?

I am much more than a scorer, I'm a combo guard now. I can dish the ball, I can lead a team, I can keep my teammates happy, I can be a coach on the floor, and I can get the job done. Winning has been something I've focused on and I've noticed that scoring isn't the only thing that determines the victory. Once I found that out, which was probably my freshman year when I averaged 29 points a game and failed to advanced my team past the quarter finals, I put my mind toward being more than a scorer. Now I'm right where I want to be, if not on my way.

You've played against some good players. Who are some the best you've played against and why do you consider them the best?

The best player I've played against was Shabazz Muhammad who is now currently ranked the best player in the country. His work ethic, competitive nature, and determination to succeed and be the best really had a positive effect on me. Seeing him takeover the number one spot, and play to his top level of performance every given night really convinced me that he was the real deal. However, Kris Dunn is still my favorite player, at all levels before pros, and I'm pretty sure he'll be there in a couple of years. 

What do you do during the off-season to better your game? What is your workout routine?

During the off season, I went to live period in July with the 17u Connecticut Basketball Club (Andre Drummond, Kris Dunn), and I did good throughout the month. We went to Indiana, Vegas, and Florida. I got back August 1, and I had my first offer from Vermont. I showed Kris Dunn and he told me "don't let that stop your hunger", and after that I just worked on my game ever since and hadn't taken a day off from August 1st all the way through Thanksgiving (when my high school season started). 

I worked on conditioning, I worked on my weaknesses during the live period (finishing with contact, getting stronger, more explosive) which had a lot to do with the weight room, I did tons of shooting, dribbling with a forearm on my waist, hop steps, floaters, and everything you could probably think of, I did. I also watched a lot of film and worked on my winning mentality. I wanted to be a killer this year, and win. And I think that the 50 point performance really showed how hard I trained over the off season. The win made it even better. 

What are your goals as a basketball player and student?
My goals as a player and student are to just be the best person I can be, best student I can be (maintain this 3.2 GPA that I have or raise it), inspire my teammates to want to win as bad as me,be a leader, and just WIN. I feel like if I do that, everything as far as recruiting and all the other little feature stuff that doesn't really mean anything (rankings) will come with that.  Until then, I understand the journey isn't over, and I'm going to continue to keep pushing, training, being patient, and leading. I just want to win and see everything I've trained for pay off. 

Any last remarks or shout outs:
Shout out to my troops (teammates) at Capital Prep, Coach Levy, My bro CJ, my bro Kris Dunn, my bro Andre Drummond, and everyone else who supports me. 

When you work so hard and put everything into something, you expect something in return. I guess you can say this is the return. Kris Dunn said he was proud of me, and with that being said, I will not stop.

Chris Paul is headed to the L.A. Clippers

The real Big 3?

Can the Lakers make this happen?

SoSportz.com- If CP3(Chris Paul), the Black Mamba(Kobe Bryant), and Superman(Dwight Howard) became teammates, would the Los Angeles Lakers be guaranteed NBA Champions? Only time will tell.

-@SoSportz
www.sosportz.com
Game Changer Baller Bandz

Which team is the best fit for Dwight Howard?

SoSportz.com- There have been numerous speculations on where Orlando Magic's superstar Dwight Howard will be playing this season. Will he stay in Orlando? Will he go to the Los Angeles Lakers? Chicago Bulls?  Free agency will be a frenzy and very exciting for the fans. Lets take a look at how he would look in other jersey's. What do you think?

Chicago Bulls

Boston Celtics

Los Angeles Clippers

Atlanta Hawks

New York Knicks

Los Angeles Lakers

Could he stay with Orlando?

 -SoSportz
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*We do not own the rights to these photos.

TEAM LEBRON VS. TEAM KD

Lebron James

Kevin Durant

SoSportz.com- Lebron James and Kevin Durant have been enjoying their lockout. Playing in charity basketball games, making surprise visits, and spending time with family. KD played in one flag football game and Lebron practiced with a high school football team. They both decided to gather a team and play a game against each other.  They love the game of football and it definitely showed. Check out the game that was played and won by Team Lebron!

Who's the best quarterback in the NFL this season?

TOM BRADY(New England Patriots)

AARON RODGERS(Green Bay Packers)

DREW BREES(New Orleans Saints)

-@SoSportz
www.sosportz.com
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Are college sports more exciting than professional sports?

The Cameron Crazies from Duke University

SoSportz.com- After watching games after games for all of these years, I asked myself, are college sports more exciting than professional sports?

In college sports you have 18-22 year old athletes playing their heart out mainly for the love of the game (some play to go pro) and to win. The game seems faster, the crowd seems to be in it more, and the athletes show so much passion.

In pro sports you have athletes who are living the dream of playing at the highest level. You have some who play with a burning passion and you have some who are playing for the "Check".  Sometimes the game seems slow until it's playoff time and sometimes it's very exciting. It's very up and down and you never know what you are going to get night in and night out.

Kobe Bryant(24)

When it comes to the fans, college by far is more exciting. Fans feel more connected because they actually went to school there and have some type of loyalty to that program. You have the school song, different chants that are being said throughout the game, and you have a younger crowd with a lot more energy. In the pros you have a lot of bandwagon fans. They might be a Cowboys fan today and a Patriots fan the next day.

When it's all said and done, college sports are more exciting than pros all around. This is just my opinion. What do you think?

-@SoSportz
www.sosportz.com
info@sosportz.com

Giants Michael Coe is out for the season

Michael Coe(37)  

SoSportz.com- New York Giants cornerback Michael Coe is done for the season after re-injuring his shoulder against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday Night Football. Coe is an underrated corner who has played mostly special teams during his five year career. The Giants have been hit hard with injuries in their secondary with Terrell Thomas, Justin Tyron, Bruce Johnson, and now Coe all on injured reserve. The G-Men took a tough loss in Week 11, 17-10, to the Eagles. With a record of 6-4, the Giants have a tough schedule remaining facing the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and the New York Jets. Can the Giants make the playoffs? It's an uphill battle but they have the ability to do so.

-@SoSportz
www.sosportz.com

Blake Griffin: Rebounding Drill

Blake Griffin walks you through his dynamic rebounding workout. The man has "hops" which allows him to get a lot of rebounds but he talks about the technique of boxing out to put yourself in the right position to grab boards.



-@SoSportz
www.sosportz.com

When should you begin taking the ACT or SAT?

SoSportz.com- For high school student-athletes the ACT and SAT test are crucial to getting into a college and playing a sport at the next level. Some say the tests are pointless and some say they're culturally bias but the bottom line is that it's a test that needs to be taken seriously.  An athlete can have all the talent in the world but without a passing score their talent can be overlooked.

When should you begin taking the tests? Most students take the tests in the spring of their junior year and the fall of their senior year. I advise to take it earlier so you can get familiar with the test and to give yourself more opportunities to make the required score for the college you want to attend.  There are prep courses to prepare for the tests as well. You have to work hard in your education just like you do in your sports.  It's time to change the game and take your education to another level. Below are the testing dates for both ACT and SAT.

ACT Test Date	ACT Registration Deadline	ACT (Late Fee Required)
December 10, 2011	November 11, 2011	November 12 – 18, 2011
February 11, 2012*	January 13, 2012	January 14 – 20, 2012
April 14, 2012	March 9, 2012	March 10 – 23, 2012
June 9, 2012	May 4, 2012	May 5 – 18, 2012

SAT Test Dates	Test	U.S. Registration Deadlines
		Regular	Late (a fee applies)
December 3, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	November 8, 2011	November 20, 2011
January 28, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	December 30, 2011	January 13, 2012
March 10, 2012	SAT only	February 10, 2012	February 23, 2012
May 5, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	April 6, 2012	April 20, 2012
June 2, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	May 8, 2012	May 22, 2012

**For more information click the name of the test**

ACT

SAT 

GAME CHANGER BALLER BANDZ

The Game Changer movement is growing and you need to be a part of it. Get your Game Changer Baller Bandz HERE for $4.99!

Blue and White

White and Red

Black and White

Pink and White

Say what you want but Tim Tebow is a winner

Tim Tebow celebrates after scoring a touchdown. Photo by (Doug Murray/Reuters)

SoSportz.com- He's not a NFL quarterback, his accuracy is horrible, he needs to change his throwing mechanic, he's too religious. These are just some of the criticism that Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has endured since entering the league in 2010.  It's obvious that he's not the prototypical quarterback that we are used to seeing but since taking over the starting gig, Tebow is 4-1 putting the Broncos back in the playoff race. It hasn't been pretty but when the jersey number 15 steps on the field, the guy is a winner. He just has that "It" factor. When the game is on the line and a big play needs to be made, he seems to make the play. He's a game changer and his confidence will continue to grow as the season continues. Is Tebow the future of the organization? That question will be answered very clearly if the win column keeps going up.

-@SoSportz
www.sosportz.com

PASSING
Year	Team	G	Att	Comp	Pct	Att/G	Yds	Avg	Yds/G	TD	TD%	Int	Int%	Lng	20+	40+	Sck	SckY	Rate
2011	Denver Broncos	8	125	56	44.8	15.6	709	5.7	88.6	7	5.6	1	0.8	56T	11	2	15	96	78.4
2010	Denver Broncos	9	82	41	50.0	9.1	654	8.0	72.7	5	6.1	3	3.7	50	10	2	6	26	82.1
TOTAL		17	207	97	46.9	12.2	1,363	6.6	80.2	12	5.8	4	1.9	56	21	4	21	122	79.8

RUSHING
Year	Team	G	Att	Att/G	Yds	Avg	Yds/G	TD	Lng	1st	1st%	20+	40+	FUM
2011	Denver Broncos	8	56	7.0	388	6.9	48.5	3	32	20	35.7	4	0	2
2010	Denver Broncos	9	43	4.8	227	5.3	25.2	6	40T	12	27.9	2	1	1
TOTAL		17	99	5.8	615	6.2	36.2	9	40	32	32.3	6	1	3